National Foundation for Ectodermal Dysplasias
The ectodermal dysplasia (ED) syndromes are a group of about 150 heritable disorders that affect the ectoderm, the outer layer of tissue in a developing baby. ED syndromes affect both males and females of all races and ethnic groups. This fact sheet answers frequently asked questions about ED, including how many people are affected by ED, what causes ED, how is ED diagnosed, how exactly are various parts of the body affected by ED syndromes, and more.